Music Hubs
Music can be the beat and rhythm which helps drive so much of learning. The concern is that music education in English primary schools is in peril.
The Arts Council England (ACE) has confirmed that the number of Music Hubs in England will be reduced from 116 to 43 from September 2024. It follows a final round of consultation leading to a number of geographical changes to the hubs being published by ACE. There will now be a bidding process to identify 43 new Hub Lead Organisations (HLOs).
Music Education Hubs are groups of organisations working together in partnership to deliver high-quality music provision for all children and young people, from 5 - 18. Hub Lead Organisations (HLOs) will also be responsible for the five strategic functions outlined in the NPME: Partnerships, Schools, Progression and musical development, Inclusion and Sustainability.
Every Hub is expected to deliver against three aims as set out in the National Plan for Music Education (NPME), published in 2022:
1. To support schools and other education settings to deliver high-quality music education
2. To support young people to further develop their musical interests and talent, including into employment
3. To support all children and young people to engage with a range of musical opportunities in and out of school
The Department for Education has stated that its reasoning for the reduction is to secure better strategic collaboration across larger areas that will improve the quality, breadth, and consistency of musical education. The
aim is to make the 43 HLOs operational by September 2024.
Will the rationalisation lead to funding reductions?
Is this another degradation of the provision for music in schools?
Will music hubs really reach all children in schools?
Is there sufficient funding to deliver?
Perhaps primary teachers don’t need training in music as a specific subject. They need training in recognising music in every part of the curriculum.
Music permeates our lives.
Everyone seems to have opinions about the music they like, music which stays with a person to support and inspire them.
